My Dog Killed My Other Dog – What You Should Do Next

You wouldn’t think this could ever happen but it unfortunately does. Some pet owners find themselves in a distressing situation when one of their dogs kills the other dog. Whatever you do, please avoid making a rash decision. Here are some steps to think through to help you decide what to do next.

Contact a Reputable Dog Trainer

One of the first steps we recommend is to contact a reputable dog trainer, preferably one that has experience with working with your dog’s breed. Getting as much expert advice as you can is the most important step you can take at this stage.

With the help of the trainer or dog behaviorist, you will be able to better understand if the attack was a “one-off” or if there’s a chance of the attacks happening again in the future. In some cases, dog trainers may find that there is too big of a liability and won’t work with your dog as a result.

Discuss with the Vet

In addition to talking with the dog trainer, you should also contact your vet and get a medical opinion. In some cases, dogs can display extra aggression as a result of an underlying health problem. Again, this is to help you better understand whether the attack was more of a one-off or if it’s likely to be repeated with other animals.

Reach Out to Animal Shelters

If you think it will be very difficult to rehabilitate the dog based on the expert opinions then consider reaching out to the animal shelters. Give them a complete profile of your dog and his behavioral history. Some of these organizations may offer to take the dog in without euthanizing the animal immediately. Please don’t leave out any details and make sure the shelter is fully aware of the reason why you are surrendering the animal.

Euthanize the Dog Humanely

Unfortunately, euthanizing the dog might be the best option to go with in some cases, especially if you haven’t found any experienced rescues or shelters that are willing to work with your pet. If you do decide with this path, please ensure the dog is euthanized humanely with an experienced vet.

Alternatively, if you decide to keep the dog then please remember to take all safety precautions moving forward. Dogs are unpredictable and no amount of training will guarantee the prevention of another dog attack. There are legal liabilities that dog owners also need to be aware of when it comes to dog attacks and aggression.